by Lyn Cote
The bride chuckled.
Bruno kissed her cheek and pulled her a few inches nearer him.
The pastor continued, "The groom told me that one day last year, he looked at Lou and he was 'surprised by love.' What a beautiful phrase! In this dark sinful world, all of us should wish to be so blessed."
"Dark, sinful world,"—the pastor has that right, Burke thought. Did anyone sitting here—apart from Rodd and him—know how evil lived and breathed right beside them and destroyed lives day by day? The dark story behind the baby the Weavers now cared for that he'd unraveled in Milwaukee had left him feeling grimy, angry.
No wonder he kept thinking about that stolen afternoon with Keely. But he'd only been able to escape his responsibilities for one afternoon. Burke had been the one who'd had to handle the brunt of the baby case. Now he felt drained from the weight he carried.
What a case it had been—the speedy trip to Milwaukee last week, the dealing with all the anger and loud blaming between the Kainz family and the ex-wife.... What an ugly mess had unfolded when he and the Kainz family had begun to peel back the layers and layers of the ex-daughter-in-law's lies.
He rubbed his forehead as though trying to wipe away these memories, especially memories of the young girl's father—his anguish over what had happened to his daughter—when he hadn't been there to protect her. Burke had identified with the man's suffering over not protecting his daughter. And his own concern for his nephew had increased tenfold since. Now here in this setting, it forced a pray from him. God, how can I keep Nick from getting into trouble, bad trouble? He thought the words but they fell short. God didn't always hear prayers. He'd prayed for Sharon to get well in vain.
The pastor went on with the ceremony. "Paul begins his homily about marriage with 'You will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.' It is a verse that many overlook. Many focus on another verse, the one that teaches about the submission of wives. Bruno taught me something in our counseling session. He said if more husbands concentrated on loving their wives, they wouldn't have to worry about their wives devoting themselves to their husbands. I loved his phrase 'devoting themselves'—what a wonderful understanding."
"He's a keeper all right," the bride spoke up, making the congregation in the packed church chuckle. "And I'm keeping him."
"Amen!" the groom asserted.
The congregation laughed and a few applauded.
Everyone's cheerfulness only made Burke feel more bleak, more solitary, more separated from the joy that surrounded him. His gaze slid back to Keely. She turned to smile at the person beside her, and he glimpsed her cheek, soft and ivory. He could almost feel its peach softness in his palm.
The last time they'd been alone together, she'd turned to smile at him like that. He felt again her arm in his, a phantom of sensation. They'd walked the shore of the small lake by her house. How had he let down his guard like that? He should have spent that day with his nephew. That's where his duty lay. But Keely Turner had a way of easing past his defenses. On Labor Day, she'd coaxed him into taking off his shoes and socks and waded beside him in the shallow water. The sand, the water, the sun—luxuriating in the sensations of that unexpected, unrepeatable interlude.
His nephew fidgeted beside him. Burke tensed and glanced at Nick sideways. Ever since last night, he'd churned with an unwelcome but familiar slow burn. Another mindless prank had taken place. He dreaded having to talk to Keely about last night. Nick was the culprit this time, but he was just a kid. But his stunt could have harmed property and people. Kids' stunts went bad every day of the week. Burke had seen too many end that way in Milwaukee.
The smiling pastor looked back down at the black leather Bible he held and read, "As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.'"
The pastor's words hit Burke as though he'd spoken directly to him. A decade ago, Burke and Sharon had made their vows. Within two years, Sharon was gone—dead and buried. The coldness of that reality had never left Burke. Now he realized that was when he'd disconnected from his family, from God. His family had tried to comfort him, but his overwhelming guilt had pushed them away. Then Nick's present need had brought Burke back—reconnected him with his family but that had only brought more pain, more guilt.
Around him, the church grew silent as the bride and groom exchanged their vows, a most solemn moment. The mood fell over Burke, too, lifting his mind toward the bigger picture, Nick's future. Suddenly this plain sanctuary, adorned with golden fall leaves and butterscotch gold mums, became shadowed with his own faults and shortcomings.
Burke swallowed, down dark emotions clogging his throat. Guilt crowded him, skin tight, he felt hopeless. If I'd stepped in earlier like my mom said . . .
The pastor concluded the Scripture reading: '"This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.' In another translation, this passage begins with what is to me chapter five's main point, 'Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us.'"
Half-listening, Burke turned his gaze again to Keely as if on autopilot. He took a deep breath. Though he wanted to avoid her, Keely was the one he needed to talk to. When he talked to her, things made sense. When he talked to her, he didn't feel like reaching Nick was hopeless.But...Keely, I just need help turning Nick around, but I don't want to mislead you. I'm not the kind of guy you deserve. And I don't have any love to give.I failed Sharon. I'd fail you.
Later, at the VFW hall in Steadfast, Keely watched the crowd of smiling people wearing their best clothing for the wedding reception. Shane, her former student whom Keely had hired as tonight's DJ, was manning an old stereo and a stack of vintage 45 and 33'3 records, playing in the background the best swing music of the forties and early fifties before rock and roll had taken over. Even Shane looked like he was enjoying it.
Patsy Kainz, in a bright green dress, walked in with Jayleen, a tall, very slender girl with long chestnut hair, tucked close by her side. Across the room, Penny sat with Jayleen's baby in her lap. For Penny, not knowing who her baby belonged to had been torture, but now, knowing had only made matters worse—much worse.
Ever since Burke had called Keely before he'd driven Patsy and her husband and son to Milwaukee, the Stead fast-LaFollette gossip mill had raged like a grass fire in a high wind. By now everyone knew that the Weavers' foster baby Rachel was Jayleen Kainz's baby, born out of wedlock last fall. The story of how the baby had actually ended up in Steadfast in that ill-fated car hadn't been clear. Too much talk and speculation and not enough truth. I need to ask Burke.
So far, the baby remained with Penny, but when would that change? Keely's heart broke for her friend who might soon lose the baby she'd cared for for nearly a year now.
Penny assumed it was only a matter of time before Jayleen would reclaim her child, and she was trying to prepare herself for the painful break. Keely had comforted Penny as best she could. But who could see the future? What was best for the baby?
Keely watched the way Jayleen avoided looking toward Penny and the baby. What must she be feeling? Was seeing her baby joy and torture at the same time? My heart breaks for Jayleen. God, your heart must be breaking too.
In the midst of this friendly scene, Keely felt surrounded by troubled lives. With the weight of all this unexpressed pain pressing down on her, Keely glanced around once more looking for Burke. She'd seen him at church during the wedding. Though she didn't want to spark gossip, she had to find a moment alone with him. She needed information about Jayleen, who sometime soon would be back in school, her school.
I need all the information I can get so I'll be able to help the girl. And what Nick had pulled last night at the football game must have upset Burke again, too. It had just been a childish stunt, setting off firecrackers in the stands during the game. And she tried not to think about Grady still implicated by uncer
tainty in the unsolved shooting of the school windows. Why had her father meddled in that? Nick had been ruled out of that by evidence that Harlan's gun hadn't been the gun. but since her father wouldn't let his guns be tested, that left Grady. And who else?
Then the bride appeared at Keely's side, interrupting her thoughts.
Ma, who'd "mothered" half the county, gave her a bear hug. "I'm so glad you came, honey."
Keely hugged Ma back. Remembering Ma's visits and her many hugs in Keey's childhood brought tears to Keely's eyes. Ma had taught her some of her first lessons in loving and doing for others. Keely couldn't let worry over others spoil Ma's special day. How wonderful that Ma had been given love and marriage a second time. Ma deserves it, Lord. More than I ever will. "I wouldn't have missed it, Ma," she murmured close to the older woman's ear. "I'm so happy for you."
Ma's lavender cologne and soft plump arms brought nostalgia pouring through Keely. Ma had come often to sit for Keely as a child and later cooked for special occasions at the Turner household. "I wish you and your new husband all the best."
Ma beamed as she released Keely. "How's your mother?"
"The same as always." Keely sighed. Her mother was back hiding from her family in California, and Grady grew more outrageous every day.
"I miss cooking for those fancy teas she used to give," Ma said. "Gave me a chance to get my cookbook out and try something different."
"And delicious," Keely finished for her. A few years ago, her mother had tired of entertaining and Ma had stopped coming to Keely's house. "I still think you should have started your own tearoom like mother suggested."
Ma snorted. "Wouldn't that be something! A tearoom in this county!"
"Well, now you'll be busy with your new husband," Keel whispered as Bruno came up behind Ma. Putting his arm around Ma's ample shoulder, he welcomed Keely warmly.
"I'll let you two greet your other guests." Keely kissed Ma's soft, crinkled cheek and turned to find Burke right behind her. His nearness went through her like a shockwave. In a well cut dark suit, he looked too handsome for her own good. But did he even notice the appreciative glances that were being sent his way? She doubted it. He had that focused, intense look on his face.
"Can we talk?"
His blunt question was so Burke Sloan, it almost made her smile. She had no doubt what the topic would be—Nick and his fandango with firecrackers last night. "I have a better offer. Let's go through the buffet together." She took his arm.
"But I—"
"You did plan to eat, right?" She stared into his eyes. Realizing she'd pay for this in more gossip, she lifted her head high. Why shouldn't they have some fun? She led him over to the potluck buffet that the ladies of the church had organized and were serving. And she realized she had to get him to relax or at least appear relaxed. If he looked worried, it would only make matters worse. He might make people think Nick had done something even more reckless last night than lighting a string of firecrackers. Or since Burke was the one who'd brought Jayleen home, people might use his preoccupation to spark further speculation about Jayleen. She had to wake him up about this. He wasn't an anonymous face in a big city anymore. "Look at all this delicious food."
He glanced down at the array of dishes. "Can we talk about Nick later?"
She chuckled. "Yes, we can. Later." His single-mindedness didn't surprise her. But she realized she was guilty of letting the pain of those around her lower her mood, too. Now not only for her sake, but for Nick's and Burke's, she had to work him out of this moodiness. It wasn't good for either of them to get so wrapped up in the troubles of others. If nothing else, she needed to show him how to lighten up.
After filling their plates, Keely and Burke sat down at a long white paper-covered table across from a familiar gentleman who rose when he saw her. She gave him a smile.
"You know Harlan Carey, don't you?" Burke asked her.
"Mr. Carey has been involved with the Family Closet since its beginning," Keely replied, opening her paper napkin. "How are you this evening, sir?"
"I'm fine, Ms. Turner, and let me say that you look more than lovely this evening." Harlan beamed at her.
Nick sat down beside Harlan and plopped a plate on the table in front of him. Without a word of greeting, the teen bent low over his food, ignoring everyone.
Harlan glanced his way. "Young man, I think you forgot to greet your principal, Ms. Turner." The voice was gentle, but it scolded without compromise.
Nick looked across at her, his chin still down. "Hello, Ms. Turner."
"Good evening, Nick." Without skipping a beat, she went on. "That trick last night—setting off firecrackers during the game—better be your last. That's all I'm going to say about it tonight or in the future. Now when are you going to come over and finish the job at the Family Closet you were doing on Labor Day?"
The one-two punch, a technique she'd perfected in the classroom, left Nick open-mouthed.
"I think Nick and I will have time to mosey over Monday after school," Harlan said. "That sound right to you, son?"
Looking cornered, Nick glanced at them all in turn."Fine."
Keely felt Burke lean forward as though preparing to deliver a lecture. She laid her hand on his arm, urging him wordlessly not to press the matter now. Nick just needed some TLC. Jayleen, sitting a few tables away, needed more, so much more. Didn't anyone else feel the tension in this hall between the two mothers and the one baby?
Burke gave Keely a sideways glance. Would he take her hint? He picked up his fork and began eating. She relaxed. Then she heard a change in the rumble of conversation and looked around. Veda McCracken had just walked in. She had come dressed for something like raking leaves, not a wedding reception. No doubt Veda had a twisted reason for attending. Keely closed her eyes. Not Veda tonight. Please.
"I was hoping she wouldn't come," Harlan said softly.
"Who?" Nick asked.
No one answered.
"Who?" Nick insisted.
"My sister-in-law, Veda McCracken," Harlan replied at last and nodded toward Veda.
Burke looked over at her as though trying to take the woman's measure from a distance.
"She's related to you?" Nick asked in disbelief.
Keely wasn't surprised at Nick's reaction.
"She is the only sister of my late wife," Harlan explained. "And, Nick, she is a very troubled woman. My advice, stay clear of her."
Harlan had such a tender heart that Keely knew it must have pained the old man to say that much. He went on drawing Nick into a discussion of fly-fishing.
Out of the corner of her eye, Keely tracked Veda as she made her way to the buffet table, filling two plates with food. People made way for her as if she were Steadfast's Typhoid Mary. Did that bother Veda? Or did she get perverse pleasure from the negative attention as some of Keely's students did?
This reminded her of Grady. Sometimes her heart broke for him, too. If only I could have taken him with me when I left for college. But that had been impossible, of course. There had been no way that she could shield him from their own parents. Now Grady was being forced to live at home to finish high school when he'd thought he'd graduate out East.
Her father was making matters worse. Insulted or fearful, he had refused to volunteer any spent bullets from their hunting rifles. She was sure he'd pressure another judge to refuse a search warrant. Didn't her father realize that it would be better for Grady to turn over the spent bullets? They might have proved him innocent.
"You done with that plate of food, young man?" Harlan asked at last.
"Yes, sir." Nick leaned back in his chair.
Keely was glad to see that Harlan's efforts were affecting Nick's mood. She wished he'd done the same for Burke.
"Then I'm going to take you over and introduce you to Jayleen Kainz." Harlan rose. "From what Patsy, her grandmother, told me at the church, Jayleen's going to be starting high school here on Monday. She's just come back from Milwaukee. Maybe you two will have someth
ing in common." Harlan and Nick left together, clearing away their dishware.
Keely's heart warmed. She'd thought she was the only one concerned about Jayleen besides Jayleen's family. But she'd been mistaken. Bless you, Harlan Carey.
Burke turned to her and frowned. "Do you think that's a good idea?" he asked in a low voice.
Keely leaned closer to him and shrugged. "I trust Harlan's instincts."
He gazed at her. "I can't argue with that statement." He nodded toward the far side of the room. "Is Harlan's sister-in-law the one that called the police on you that night?"
"Yes, that was Veda." Keely couldn't keep her low opinion of Veda out of her voice.
"She looks like a few bag ladies I used to see downtown in Milwaukee. Not just her clothing. Her manner."
Keely pursed her lips to keep from agreeing with him.
"I need to talk to you about Nick," Burke started.
Then Shane called out, "Let's start off with the 'Bunny Hop'!" The lilting traditional tune with its marked rhythm ricocheted off the cement block walls. Keely uttered a thank you under her breath.
Keely saw Harlan nudging Nick and Jayleen into the bunny hop line, a large irregular circle that snaked around the room. Toddlers to grandmothers, practically everyone in the room, joined the dance. She began singing the cheery and silly lyrics along with everyone else.
Nick shook his head but stayed by Jayleen. Keely watched the girl's reaction to the silly dance, looking as uncomfortable as Nick. Keely turned to Burke. "Last night was no big deal. I'll handle it."
"Nick could have started a fire. He could have burned himself or someone else."
"So the rich man's daughter from LaFollette shows up to the peons' wedding in Steadfast." A strident voice came from behind Keely. "That's big of you."
